The J.LEAGUE in Japan is the latest sporting body to suspend its calendar in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.
The fixtures in the Japanese League affected are across the top three divisions and the Cup right up until March 15th.
２０２０明治安田生命ＪリーグおよびＪリーグYBCルヴァンカップ開催延期が決定#Ｊリーグ#ルヴァンカップhttps://t.co/UuU2A9Qpxj
— Ｊリーグ（日本プロサッカーリーグ） (@J_League) February 25, 2020
The league released a statement after "consideration of the statement made by experts on a government panel, who advised that the next two weeks are critical to prevent clusters of the new coronavirus from further spreading."
Statement
"J.LEAGUE announced the postponement of all J.LEAGUE matches scheduled in between 28th February and 15th March.
"The decision has been made at the Board of Directors held today, considering the statement made by the experts on a government panel that the upcoming one to two weeks are critical to prevent clusters of the new coronavirus from further spreading.
"J.LEAGUE will take every effort to take measures to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus and to prepare to resume the matches. Substitutional dates and handling of tickets will be announced once decided."
The spread of the virus has led to PRO14 games being suspended in Italy this weekend, where the outbreak in Europe has been most deadly, with over 220 cases confirmed.
Irelands National Public Health Emergency Team is to meet this afternoon to discuss Ireland's preparedness for the Coronavirus.
There have been no confirmed cases here however the Department of Health believes the risk is now moderate to high after 7 people died from the virus in Italy.
In a statement this morning, the IRFU says it has no plans to cancel the Ireland/Italy Six Nations game in Dublin on March 7th in an effort to prevent the spread of the virus.
